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How Fat Is Fat?
So you think you're fat, but are you as fat as you think?
Well it depends who you ask. To the dedicated admirer of today's skeletal celebrities with their fashionable bone jangling
frames anything above a size 0 is positively obese. To anyone of around 300lb, having to listen to a person who's a curvy
size 14 complaining about their constant struggles to get into a size 12 pair of jeans can be more than a little irritating. Let's
face it, everyone's idea of average is different and one person's perception of fat may not be the same as someone elses.
Many people spend their lives striving for a firmer bum, thinner thighs and tiny waist. We deprive ourselves of the very things
we enjoy the most. Bypassing the bakery section in the supermarket with those glass display fridges stuffed with
mouthwatering cream doughnuts and strawberry cheesecakes or foregoing that favourite bar of chocolate we so richly
deserve after a hard day's work. But why do we do it? Are we doing it for the right reasons and do we really need to do it at
all?
Let's consider the evidence. Obesity is a problem, there's no denying the fact. In the US around 127 million adults are
thought to be overweight with 60 million of those classed as obese. In the UK obesity rates are also on the rise. Numbers
have doubled since the 1980s. So clearly fat is a problem, but what of those people who are on the borderline. The latest
guidelines are to work out our Body Mass Index or BMI. This is a height-weight system which calculates weight ranges from
normal to overweight to obese. However some of these calculators class a BMI of 25 and over as being overweight. So as an
example, a 4'10", 50 year old woman weighing 8st 5lbs (117lbs) would have a BMI of 25 therefore being classed as
overweight. This, despite the fact, that the woman (a real person incidentally) wears UK size 10/12 clothes and attends 5 half
hour aerobic sessions a week. Hardly a major cause for concern.
So back to our initial question, 'how fat is fat?' It's probably fair to say that if you can't reach your shoelaces because your
belly's in the way, that would be a good indicator that you need to cut back. Also if the slightest exertion leaves you
breathless or your overall quality of life is reduced or restricted because of your weight you should consult your doctor for
sensible dietary advice. However for everyone else surely it would make more sense to place the emphasis on a healthier
lifestyle rather than the size of clothes you wear. Cut down on the 3 s's - saturated fats, sugar and salt. Let the bulk of your
food be made up of fresh fruit and vegetables but allow yourself that inviting cream doughnut if you really want it. Food is
meant to be enjoyed, it's all a matter of balance and moderation. So what if you're a size bigger than your friend. As long as
you can climb a flight of stairs when the lift's broken or run after your child when he strays too close to the road without
collapsing in a breathless heap then that's ok. In other words strive to be healthy and fit even if you are considered a 'plus
size'.
To Crunch Or Not To Crunch? That Is The Question.
But what is the answer? How do you get a washboard stomach?
Even the so called 'experts' seem divided on this one. A flat stomach is most people's dream but is the crunch the way to get
it? Well consider this recently published number one answer to a yahoo question:
"those who suggest crunches and sit-ups actually have no idea what they are talking about. Large amounts of ab stimulation
will actually make your abdominal region larger and give your stomach a more rounded look."
The source for this reply is listed as being someone with "years of training and common sense."
Another quote on a website offering advice on Postpartum Tummy states, "Take care that you do not do any 'crunches'
which can make abdominal separation worse."
However other 'experts' disagree:
"If you want sexy abs then you need to know how to do a perfect crunch. The crunch is the classic abs movement and it is
classic for good reason - it works!"
This quote was taken from a women's health and fitness website.
So again I have to ask, "What is the real answer?" After all haven't we all been doing crunches or sit-ups for years to get a
toned flat stomach? I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers lying on the floor, hands behind my head with my younger
brother holding my feet as I struggled to sit upright. Of course this only led to crippling back pain but I soldiered on until the
new way of thinking was to keep your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees. Nowadays you don't even have to sit
upright at all. You simply raise your head slightly off the floor and let your legs do the work with cycling movements. Having
said that, I still haven't got a washboard stomach despite clocking up thousands of crunches over the years so maybe it's
time I sided with the 'against lobby'. Of course the hardliners will probably say it's all down to technique but I think I'm going
to abandon crunches and look for an alternative.
I recently read that reducing fat on the stomach by increasing activity and following a sensible diet will help to reveal the
hidden six-pack hiding beneath the surface. So that's going to be my goal from now on. Goodbye gruelling crunches, hello
healthy lifestyle and hopefully by summer a sexy, I'll finally be able to reveal a sexy, washboard stomach.
Copyright©beatbloating.com 2008
So you think you're fat, but are you as fat as you think?
Well it depends who you ask. To the dedicated admirer of today's skeletal celebrities with their fashionable bone jangling
frames anything above a size 0 is positively obese. To anyone of around 300lb, having to listen to a person who's a curvy
size 14 complaining about their constant struggles to get into a size 12 pair of jeans can be more than a little irritating. Let's
face it, everyone's idea of average is different and one person's perception of fat may not be the same as someone elses.
Many people spend their lives striving for a firmer bum, thinner thighs and tiny waist. We deprive ourselves of the very things
we enjoy the most. Bypassing the bakery section in the supermarket with those glass display fridges stuffed with
mouthwatering cream doughnuts and strawberry cheesecakes or foregoing that favourite bar of chocolate we so richly
deserve after a hard day's work. But why do we do it? Are we doing it for the right reasons and do we really need to do it at
all?
Let's consider the evidence. Obesity is a problem, there's no denying the fact. In the US around 127 million adults are
thought to be overweight with 60 million of those classed as obese. In the UK obesity rates are also on the rise. Numbers
have doubled since the 1980s. So clearly fat is a problem, but what of those people who are on the borderline. The latest
guidelines are to work out our Body Mass Index or BMI. This is a height-weight system which calculates weight ranges from
normal to overweight to obese. However some of these calculators class a BMI of 25 and over as being overweight. So as an
example, a 4'10", 50 year old woman weighing 8st 5lbs (117lbs) would have a BMI of 25 therefore being classed as
overweight. This, despite the fact, that the woman (a real person incidentally) wears UK size 10/12 clothes and attends 5 half
hour aerobic sessions a week. Hardly a major cause for concern.
So back to our initial question, 'how fat is fat?' It's probably fair to say that if you can't reach your shoelaces because your
belly's in the way, that would be a good indicator that you need to cut back. Also if the slightest exertion leaves you
breathless or your overall quality of life is reduced or restricted because of your weight you should consult your doctor for
sensible dietary advice. However for everyone else surely it would make more sense to place the emphasis on a healthier
lifestyle rather than the size of clothes you wear. Cut down on the 3 s's - saturated fats, sugar and salt. Let the bulk of your
food be made up of fresh fruit and vegetables but allow yourself that inviting cream doughnut if you really want it. Food is
meant to be enjoyed, it's all a matter of balance and moderation. So what if you're a size bigger than your friend. As long as
you can climb a flight of stairs when the lift's broken or run after your child when he strays too close to the road without
collapsing in a breathless heap then that's ok. In other words strive to be healthy and fit even if you are considered a 'plus
size'.
To Crunch Or Not To Crunch? That Is The Question.
But what is the answer? How do you get a washboard stomach?
Even the so called 'experts' seem divided on this one. A flat stomach is most people's dream but is the crunch the way to get
it? Well consider this recently published number one answer to a yahoo question:
"those who suggest crunches and sit-ups actually have no idea what they are talking about. Large amounts of ab stimulation
will actually make your abdominal region larger and give your stomach a more rounded look."
The source for this reply is listed as being someone with "years of training and common sense."
Another quote on a website offering advice on Postpartum Tummy states, "Take care that you do not do any 'crunches'
which can make abdominal separation worse."
However other 'experts' disagree:
"If you want sexy abs then you need to know how to do a perfect crunch. The crunch is the classic abs movement and it is
classic for good reason - it works!"
This quote was taken from a women's health and fitness website.
So again I have to ask, "What is the real answer?" After all haven't we all been doing crunches or sit-ups for years to get a
toned flat stomach? I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers lying on the floor, hands behind my head with my younger
brother holding my feet as I struggled to sit upright. Of course this only led to crippling back pain but I soldiered on until the
new way of thinking was to keep your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees. Nowadays you don't even have to sit
upright at all. You simply raise your head slightly off the floor and let your legs do the work with cycling movements. Having
said that, I still haven't got a washboard stomach despite clocking up thousands of crunches over the years so maybe it's
time I sided with the 'against lobby'. Of course the hardliners will probably say it's all down to technique but I think I'm going
to abandon crunches and look for an alternative.
I recently read that reducing fat on the stomach by increasing activity and following a sensible diet will help to reveal the
hidden six-pack hiding beneath the surface. So that's going to be my goal from now on. Goodbye gruelling crunches, hello
healthy lifestyle and hopefully by summer a sexy, I'll finally be able to reveal a sexy, washboard stomach.
Copyright©beatbloating.com 2008
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